Firearm trigger guard insert and grip

ABSTRACT

A firearm trigger guard insert and grip are disclosed. An example embodiment includes a firearm trigger guard insert and grip assembly comprising: a trigger guard insert having an upper surface conforming to at least a portion of an area defined by a firearm trigger guard, the trigger guard insert including a void through which a trigger can be inserted, the trigger guard insert reducing an exposed portion of the trigger, thereby lowering an action line of the firearm; and a grip having a horizontal surface at or above a collinear position relative to the action line created by the installed firearm trigger guard insert.

PRIORITY PATENT APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application draws priority from U.S.Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/319,305; filed Mar. 12, 2022.This present non-provisional patent application draws priority from thereferenced patent application. The entire disclosure of the referencedpatent application is considered part of the disclosure of the presentapplication and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to firearms, trigger guards, andparticularly although not exclusively, to a firearm trigger guard insertand grip.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. The following notice applies to the disclosure providedherein and to the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright2021 - 2023, Fred FISCHIETTO; All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

Several jurisdictions across the country restrict the manufacture, sale,or possession of semiautomatic firearms equipped with pistol grips. Somestates merely list “pistol grip” as a prohibited feature without furtherdefining the nature or structure of the prohibited pistol grip. In Title11, section 5471(z), of the California Code of Regulations, theprohibited pistol grip is defined as a pistol grip that protrudesconspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, which means a grip thatallows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand(between the thumb and index finger) can be placed beneath or below thetop of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing. This definitionincludes pistol grips on standard and bullpup firearm designs. Thus, itwould be beneficial to provide a pistol grip for a semiautomatic firearmthat is not prohibited under most regulations.

SUMMARY

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed afirearm trigger guard insert and grip. Example embodiments of thedisclosed firearm trigger guard insert and grip include a removabletrigger guard insert, which lowers the top of the exposed portion of thetrigger; and a grip, which enables a pistol style grasp where the web ofthe trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed ator above the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing thefirearm. Example embodiments are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the firearm trigger guardinsert and grip installed in a firearm lower receiver;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of the installed firearmtrigger guard insert and grip relative to a new action line of thefirearm lower receiver;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of thefirearm trigger guard insert and grip installed in a firearm;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative example embodiment showing anintegrated firearm trigger guard with shortened insert along with a gripinstalled in a firearm lower receiver;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative example embodiment of the grip;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the alternative exampleembodiment of the grip with the attachment mechanism for attaching thegrip to a firearm lower receiver;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the alternative exampleembodiment of the grip with the attachment mechanism for attaching thegrip to a firearm lower receiver, along with a shortened removablyinstalled firearm trigger guard insert;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of the grip and a shortenedfirearm trigger guard insert removably installed in a firearm lowerreceiver, along with a rifle stock, AR-15 A2 pattern, attached to thefirearm lower receiver;

FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative example embodiment showing anintegrated firearm trigger guard with shortened insert along with a gripinstalled in a firearm lower receiver; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operationsperformed in a method according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosedsubject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and structural changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed afirearm trigger guard insert and grip. Example embodiments of thedisclosed firearm trigger guard insert and grip include a removabletrigger guard insert, which lowers the top of the exposed portion of thetrigger; and a grip, which enables a pistol style grasp where the web ofthe trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed ator above the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing thefirearm.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a firearm trigger guardinsert 6 and grip 10 installed in a firearm lower receiver 12. FIG. 1shows the reference plane 5 where the upper and lower receivers of thefirearm mate together. FIG. 1 also shows the trigger 8 and the triggerguard 9, which are standard components of the firearm lower receiver 12.As part of the standard configuration of lower receiver 12, an originalaction line 4 is shown, which corresponds to a boundary below which thetrigger 8 is exposed. The action line 4 defines a boundary below whichcorresponds to the action of the weapon. As explained above, theCalifornia Code of Regulations, prohibit a pistol grip that protrudesconspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, which means a grip thatallows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand(between the thumb and index finger) can be placed beneath or below theoriginal action line 4 while the weapon is fired.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a firearm trigger guardinsert 6 is provided to lower the original action line 4 to a new actionline 2. The new action line 2 serves to lower the action of the weapon.In the example embodiment, the firearm trigger guard insert 6 can be aformed piece of plastic, composite material, metal, wood, or any otherrigid material, which can be removably snapped into place in an upperportion of an area defined by the trigger guard 9. The firearm triggerguard insert 6 includes a void through which the trigger 8 can beinserted. The void includes space for the trigger 8 to be fully pulledbackward to discharge the weapon. The trigger guard insert 6 can beformed or manufactured with an upper surface conforming to at least aportion of an area defined by the firearm trigger guard 9. As shown inFIG. 1 , the firearm trigger guard insert 6 reduces the exposed portionof the trigger 8, thereby lowering the action of the weapon. When thefirearm trigger guard insert 6 is installed as shown in FIG. 1 , thetrigger guard insert 6 shifts the action line to new action line 2 bycovering up a portion of the trigger 8, thereby moving the exposed topof the trigger 8 downward.

When the firearm trigger guard insert 6 is installed and the new actionline 2 is thereby created, a horizontal surface 3 of grip 10 can beconfigured in a collinear position relative to the new action line 2created by the installed firearm trigger guard insert 6. As a result,grip 10 can provide a surface 3, upon which the web of the trigger hand(between the thumb and index finger) can be placed while the weapon isused. Because the horizontal surface 3 of grip 10 is in a collinearposition relative to the new action line 2 created by the installedfirearm trigger guard insert 6, the web of the trigger hand will alwaysbe in a position at or above the new action line 2. The horizontalsurface 3 of grip 10 serves as a physical barrier to maintain the web ofthe trigger hand in a position at or above the new action line 2. Asshown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1 , the grip 10 can beconfigured as a standard grip or a pistol grip in a variety of differentstyles.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of the installed firearmtrigger guard insert 6 and grip 10 relative to a new action line 2 ofthe firearm lower receiver 12. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the firearm trigger guard insert 6 is installed to lower the originalaction line 4 to a new action line 2. The new action line 2 serves tolower the action of the weapon. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2 ,the horizontal surface 3 of grip 10 can be configured in a collinearposition relative to the new action line 2 created by the installedfirearm trigger guard insert 6. As a result, horizontal surface 3 ofgrip 10 serves as a physical barrier to maintain the web of the triggerhand in a position at or above the new action line 2. FIG. 2 alsoillustrates a magazine release button 11 of the firearm in an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of theinstalled firearm trigger guard insert 6 and grip 10 installed in afirearm. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the firearm triggerguard insert 6 is installed to lower the original action line 4 to thenew action line 2. The horizontal surface 3 of grip 10 can be configuredin a collinear position relative to the new action line 2 created by theinstalled firearm trigger guard insert 6. As a result, horizontalsurface 3 of grip 10 serves as a physical barrier to maintain the web ofthe trigger hand in a position at or above the new action line 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative example embodiment showing anintegrated firearm trigger guard 14 integrated with shortened insert 401installed in a firearm lower receiver 12. Also shown is grip 10installed in the firearm lower receiver 12. In the alternative exampleembodiment shown, the integrated firearm trigger guard 14 with shortenedinsert 401 includes a removable trigger guard portion, which can beintegrated with a shortened insert 401 as a single insertable/removablecomponent. The shortened insert 401 can be locked into place byattaching the removable trigger guard portion to the firearm lowerreceiver 12. Once installed, the integrated firearm trigger guard 14with shortened insert 401 serves to lower the original action line 4 tothe new action line 2. The horizontal surface 3 of grip 10 can beconfigured in a collinear position relative to the new action line 2created by the installed firearm trigger guard insert 401. As a result,horizontal surface 3 of grip 10 serves as a physical barrier to maintainthe web of the trigger hand in a position at or above the new actionline 2. The integrated firearm trigger guard 14 with shortened insert401 shifts the action line downward by covering up a portion of thetrigger 8, thereby moving the exposed top of the trigger 8 downward.This alternative example embodiment allows for a bolt release lever tobe installed for additional user customization of the weapon. Thisalternative example embodiment also uses the existing trigger guardmounting holes on the lower receiver 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative example embodiment of the grip. In thealternative example embodiment shown, the grip 20 can be removablyattached to the lower receiver 12 at a reference plane 18. The grip 20can be removably attached to the lower receiver 12 using a bolt, screw,or other fastener (e.g., a Socket Head Cap Screw, SHCS) insertedco-axially with reference axis 17 through a hole in the grip 20 providedtherefor. The bolt, screw, or other fastener can secure the grip 20 tothe lower receiver 12. As described above, the grip 20 can include ahorizontal surface 19 of grip 20, which can be configured in a collinearposition relative to the new action line 2 created by the installedfirearm trigger guard insert 6. As a result, horizontal surface 19 ofgrip 20 serves as a physical barrier to maintain the web of the triggerhand in a position at or above the new action line 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the alternative exampleembodiment of the grip 20 with an attachment mechanism 17 (e.g., bolt,screw, or other fastener) for attaching the grip 20 to a firearm lowerreceiver 12. FIG. 6 shows a typical lower receiver 12 with an integrated(non-removable) trigger guard 601. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of alower receiver 12 where the trigger opening profile varies. There couldbe any number of trigger opening profiles. The profile of the triggerguard insert 6 as described herein can be tailored/altered/matched toany number of different types of trigger opening profiles while loweringthe action line to ensure functionality consistent with the claims ofthe various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the grip 20 can be removably attached to the lowerreceiver 12 using a bolt, screw, or other fastener 17 (e.g., a SocketHead Cap Screw, SHCS) inserted co-axially through a hole in the grip 20provided therefor. The bolt, screw, or other fastener 17 can be usedwith a lock washer 18 to secure the grip 20 to the lower receiver 12.The lock washer 18 provides tension on the grip 20 assembly when thefastener 17 is tightened, thereby securing all components in place. Asdescribed above, grip 20 can include a substantially horizontal surface19, which can be configured in a collinear position relative to the newaction line 2 created by the installed firearm trigger guard insert 6.As a result, horizontal surface 19 of grip 20 serves as a physicalbarrier to maintain the web of the trigger hand in a position at orabove the new action line 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the alternative exampleembodiment of the grip 20 with the attachment mechanism 17 (e.g., bolt,screw, or other fastener) for attaching the grip 20 to a firearm lowerreceiver 12, along with a shortened removably installed firearm triggerguard insert 701. FIG. 7 shows a typical lower receiver 12 with anintegrated (non-removable) trigger guard. The shortened removablyinstalled firearm trigger guard insert 701 can be attached to thefirearm lower receiver 12 using fasteners 36. The fasteners 36 can bebolts, screws, or other type of mechanical fastener (e.g., a Socket HeadCap Screw, SHCS). The fasteners 36 can also be non-mechanical fasteners,such as glue, snaps, clamps, tongue and groove fittings, or even clampedto the trigger 8 itself. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a lowerreceiver 12 where the trigger opening profile varies. There could be anynumber of trigger opening profiles. The profile of the shortenedremovably installed firearm trigger guard insert 701 as described hereincan be tailored/altered/matched to any number of different types oftrigger opening profiles while lowering the action line to ensurefunctionality consistent with the claims of the various embodimentsdisclosed and claimed herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of the grip 10 and a shortenedfirearm trigger guard insert 701 removably installed in a firearm lowerreceiver 12, along with a rifle stock 42 (e.g., AR-15 A2 pattern),attached to the firearm lower receiver 12. FIG. 8 shows a typical lowerreceiver with an integrated (non-removable) trigger guard. The shortenedremovably installed firearm trigger guard insert 701 can be attached tothe firearm lower receiver 12 using fasteners 36. The fasteners 36 canbe bolts, screws, or other type of mechanical fastener (e.g., a SocketHead Cap Screw, SHCS). The fasteners 36 can also be non-mechanicalfasteners, such as glue, snaps, clamps, tongue and groove fittings, oreven clamped to the trigger 8 itself. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of alower receiver 12 where the trigger opening profile varies. There couldbe any number of trigger opening profiles. The profile of the shortenedremovably installed firearm trigger guard insert 701 as described hereincan be tailored/altered/matched to any number of different types oftrigger opening profiles while lowering the action line to ensurefunctionality consistent with the claims of the various embodimentsdisclosed and claimed herein. The example embodiment of FIG. 8illustrates a rifle stock 42 (e.g., AR-15 A2 pattern) attached to thefirearm lower receiver 12 with a stock end plate 41 disposedtherebetween. The position of the rifle stock 42 relative to the grip 10provides sufficient spacing to enable a person to position the web oftheir trigger hand on the grip 10 while using rifle stock 42. Thehorizontal surface 3 of grip 10 serves as a physical barrier to maintainthe web of the trigger hand in a position at or above the new actionline 2.

FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative example embodiment showing anintegrated firearm trigger guard 14 with shortened insert 401 along witha grip 10 installed in a firearm lower receiver 12. In the alternativeexample embodiment shown, the integrated firearm trigger guard 14 withshortened insert 401 includes a removable trigger guard portion, whichcan be integrated with a shortened insert 401 as a single component. Theshortened insert 401 can be locked into place by attaching the removabletrigger guard portion to the firearm lower receiver 12. Once installed,the integrated firearm trigger guard 14 with shortened insert 401 servesto lower the original action line 4 to the new action line 2. Thehorizontal surface 3 of grip 10 can be configured in a collinearposition relative to the new action line 2 created by the installedfirearm trigger guard insert 401. As a result, horizontal surface 3 ofgrip 10 serves as a physical barrier to maintain the web of the triggerhand in a position at or above the new action line 2.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operationsperformed in a method according to an example embodiment. In accordancewith the example method 1000, the method comprises: fabricating atrigger guard insert having an upper surface conforming to at least aportion of an area defined by a firearm trigger guard, the trigger guardinsert including a void through which a trigger can be inserted, thetrigger guard insert reducing an exposed portion of the trigger, therebylowering an action line of a firearm (operation 1010); and fabricating agrip having a horizontal surface at or above a collinear positionrelative to the action line created by the installed firearm triggerguard insert (operation 1020).

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of components and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the descriptionprovided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures hereinare merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”,“lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposesonly and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials,geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied tosuit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be includedin, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoingexamples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the variousembodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submittedwith the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limitthe scope or meaning of the claims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more featuresthan are expressly recited in each claim. Thus, the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

As described herein, a firearm trigger guard insert and grip aredisclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described withreference to several example embodiments, it may be understood that thewords that have been used are words of description and illustration,rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purviewof the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter inall its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has beendescribed with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims.

1. A firearm trigger guard insert and grip assembly comprising: atrigger guard insert having an upper surface conforming to at least aportion of an area defined by a firearm trigger guard, the trigger guardinsert including a void through which a trigger can be inserted, thetrigger guard insert reducing an exposed portion of the trigger, therebylowering an action line of a firearm; and a grip having a horizontalsurface at or above a collinear position relative to the action linecreated by the installed firearm trigger guard insert.
 2. The firearmtrigger guard insert and grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the triggerguard insert is removable.
 3. The firearm trigger guard insert and gripassembly of claim 1 wherein the trigger guard insert is shortened. 4.The firearm trigger guard insert and grip assembly of claim 3 whereinthe shortened trigger guard insert is attached to a lower receiver ofthe firearm.
 5. The firearm trigger guard insert and grip assembly ofclaim 4 wherein the shortened trigger guard insert is attached to alower receiver of the firearm using existing trigger guard mountingholes on the lower receiver.
 6. The firearm trigger guard insert andgrip assembly of claim 1 wherein the trigger guard insert is integratedwith the firearm trigger guard as a single removable component.
 7. Thefirearm trigger guard insert and grip assembly of claim 1 wherein thegrip is a pistol grip.
 8. The firearm trigger guard insert and gripassembly of claim 1 wherein the trigger guard insert is fabricated froma type of material from a group consisting of: plastic, compositematerial, metal, wood, and a rigid material.
 9. The firearm triggerguard insert and grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the grip is removablyattachable to a lower receiver of the firearm using a fastener insertedco-axially through a hole in the grip.
 10. The firearm trigger guardinsert and grip assembly of claim 9 wherein the fastener is of a typefrom a group consisting of: a bolt and a screw.
 11. The firearm triggerguard insert and grip assembly of claim 1 further including a riflestock attached to a lower receiver of the firearm with a stock end platedisposed therebetween, a position of the rifle stock relative to thegrip providing sufficient spacing to enable a person to position a webof their trigger hand on the grip while using rifle stock.
 12. A methodfor fabricating a firearm trigger guard insert and grip assembly, themethod comprising: fabricating a trigger guard insert having an uppersurface conforming to at least a portion of an area defined by a firearmtrigger guard, the trigger guard insert including a void through which atrigger can be inserted, the trigger guard insert reducing an exposedportion of the trigger, thereby lowering an action line of a firearm;and fabricating a grip having a horizontal surface at or above acollinear position relative to the action line created by the installedfirearm trigger guard insert.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein thetrigger guard insert is removable.
 14. The method of claim 12 whereinthe trigger guard insert is shortened.
 15. The method of claim 14including attaching the shortened trigger guard insert to a lowerreceiver of the firearm.
 16. The method of claim 15 including attachingthe shortened trigger guard insert to a lower receiver of the firearmusing existing trigger guard mounting holes on the lower receiver. 17.The method of claim 12 wherein the trigger guard insert is integratedwith the firearm trigger guard as a single removable component.
 18. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the grip is a pistol grip.
 19. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the trigger guard insert is fabricated from a type ofmaterial from a group consisting of: plastic, composite material, metal,wood, and a rigid material.
 20. The method of claim 12 wherein the gripis removably attachable to a lower receiver of the firearm using afastener inserted co-axially through a hole in the grip.